She nods, studying the map--she may not be much use at reading or writing, but she can follow along with pictures well enough. And having seen the surrounding area from the air, riding along while Hildegard hunts, makes it even easier for her to connect the map with the terrain.

And if there’s nothing but desert on the way, well then, she and Hildegard can follow Kate even in daylight--Hildegard’s got good enough vision to spot potential trouble and get out of sight, and anyway if they’re up high enough there’s always the chance that anyone who does see them will just think they’re some kind of strange bird, and then put it out of their thoughts.

If there’s nothing but desert between here and the point Kate has marked as somewhere they can wait for her, then they can follow her there and find some sort of cover while she goes to make arrangements? Less chance of getting lost that way.

Or so she hopes.